ANZAC DAY - VIETNAM
- 4 Days Cu Chi to Long Tan

From/ To: HO CHI MINH CITY
Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Departs: 23rd April 2025
Departure: Guaranteed
Tour type: Private

Overview:

Attend the Anzac Day Dawn Service in Ho Chi Minh City and later visit the Long Tan Memorial. In Ho Chi Minh City, visit the Independence Palace and War Remnants Museum and indulge in an evening Street Food Tour. Travel outside to the Cu Chi Tunnels by speedboat and visit Australian locations during the Vietnam War, at Nui Dat and Vung Tau.

Why Anzac Day in Vietnam?

Australia began its involvement in the Vietnam War in July 1962 by sending a small military training team to assist South Vietnam. In June 1965, this commitment was increased to a full battalion to support the United States in countering the communist influence in Asia.

By March 1966, the Australian contingent expanded to the 1st Australian Task Force (1ATF), which included two infantry battalions and a squadron of helicopters for mobility and support. The task force was based at Nui Dat and focused on operations in Phuoc Tuy Province, a key region east of Saigon (modern-day Ho Chi Minh City). Australia's military presence peaked at about 8,500 personnel, drawn from the army, navy, and air force. Australian forces began withdrawing as the U.S. and its allies scaled down their involvement and by 1971, the 1ATF was withdrawn, marking the end of Australia's combat operations in Vietnam.

During the war, over 60,000 Australians military personnel served in Vietnam and sadly, 523 died with many others returning home with physical and psychological wounds.

Commemorate Anzac Day at the Anzac Day Dawn Service conducted by the Australian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and explore the Australian locations in Phuoc Tuy Provence while embracing the food, culture and friendliness of the Vietnamese people on this 5-day tour.

Highlights:

  • Anzac Day Dawn Service & Gunfire Breakfast

  • Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat

  • Half Day City Tour (includes the Independence Palace & War Remnants Museum)

  • Evening Street Food Tour

  • Full Day Australian Vietnam War Locations Tour to Nui Dat, Long Tan & Vung Tau

Pricing:

3 Star Hotels:
1 Person (1 Room) - $1,750
2 Persons (1 Room) - $1,180pp
3 Persons (2 Rooms) - $1,070pp
4 Persons (2 Rooms) - $890pp
Extra night - Contact Us

4 Star Hotels:
1 Person (1 Room) - $2,030
2 Persons (1 Room) - $1,340pp
3 Persons (2 Rooms) - $1,290pp
4 Persons (2 Rooms) - $1,050pp
Extra night - Contact Us

2 Easy payments:
- 50% with booking
- Balance 45 days prior to departure

Full amount required if booking 45 days or less prior to departure.

All prices are quoted in AUD.

Prices valid to 31/03/2026.

For groups larger than 4, please Contact Us.

Tours Details

  • Day 1: Thursday, 23rd April 2026 (Arrive Ho Chi Minh City)

    Arrive at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport, where you will meet your driver who will take you to your central city hotel. Check-in and the rest of the day is free.

    Hotel: Aristo Hotel (3 Star) (or similar); Alagon D’Antique Hotel (4 Star) (or similar)


    Day 2: Friday, 24th April 2026 (Ho Chi Minh City)

    Morning: Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat Tour (‘Join-in’ tour):
    Depart hotel: 7:00am
    Finish: 1:30pm approx. 

    This will be an enjoyable, exciting and interesting morning.

    You will be picked up from your hotel and will board a 10-12 passenger speedboat for an exciting trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels. Along the way, your guide will point out life along the banks of the Saigon River with plenty of photo opportunities.

    At the Cu Chi Tunnels, take an informative tour of this ‘underground’ village complex built by resourceful Vietnamese guerrilla fighters, during the Vietnam War. Different aspects of life in the tunnels such as meeting areas, workshops to make weapons and clothing, as well as kitchens and sleeping areas, have been recreated on the surface.

    You will have the opportunity to go through a short section of tunnel and envisage what it was like back then.

    Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch before returning to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

    Half Day City Tour (Private tour):
    Depart hotel: 2:00pm
    Finish: 5:30pm approx.

    Visit the sobering War Remnants Museum, a mixed display (sometimes confronting) that shows the Vietnam (American) War from the Vietnamese perspective. A short distance away is the Independence Palace. In 1975, when South Vietnam fell to the North, this was the Presidential Palace. It has been restored as it was in 1975 and provides an interesting snapshot of that time.

    End your afternoon with a visit to the Rex Hotel Rooftop Bar, a cool and relaxing location. During the Vietnam War, the Rex Hotel was a meeting place for American military officials, foreign correspondents and spies. From here, your guide will point out the apartment building that became famous as the last CIA evacuation point in the final days of the Vietnam War.

    Evening Street Food Tour (Private tour):
    Depart hotel: 5:30pm
    Finish: 8:00pm approx.

    Tonight, you are in for a treat. Your guide will meet you and take you on a Street Food Tour. Walk between different food outlets noted for their own speciality, sampling a range of delicious Vietnamese food cooked in front of you.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Hotel: Aristo Hotel (3 Star) (or similar); Alagon D’Antique Hotel (4 Star) (or similar)

    Day 3: Saturday, 25th April 2026 (Anzac Day Dawn Service; Ho Chi Minh City to Vung Tau & Return)

    Anzac Day Dawn Service (Private tour):
    Depart hotel: 4:45am
    Return: 7:15am approx. 

    Depart the hotel for the short journey to attend the deeply moving Anzac Day Dawn Service at the British Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City and conducted by the Australian Consulate. Afterwards mingle with other Anzac Day attendees at the Gunfire Breakfast where light refreshments will be provided.

    Depart about 7:00am to return to the hotel.

    Full Day Nui Dat, Long Tan and Vung Tau Tour (Private tour):
    Depart hotel: 8:30am
    Arrive: 6:00pm approx.

    Travel out of Ho Chi Minh City to the east and what was Phuoc Tuy Province. Visit the site of the Australian Task Force Base at Nui Dat where the Australians were located during the Vietnam War. Your first stop will be the site of the Australian, NZ and US artillery positions which played a vital role in the Battle of Long Tan.  Remnants of the command bunker can be seen and nearby, is the remains of the Base HQ which was destroyed many years after the war.

    A short distance away is Kanga Pad (the helicopter pad) and SAS Hill, now a quarry. Also see Luscombe Airfield, now a roadway and drive down Canberra Avenue to the site of the 6RAR’s camp and the Nui Dat Memorial. Pause at the memorial for some time of personal reflection.

    Visit the Long Tan Memorial which marks the site of the Battle of Long Tan in which Australian soldiers, heavily outnumbered, engaged the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). Sadly, 18 Australians and about 245 NVA soldiers died. Again, take a moment of quiet reflection to remember all those who died, both military and civilian, during the Vietnam War.

    Arrive at Vung Tau for lunch.

    Drive by the Front and Back Beaches and the site of the Peter Badcoe Club (R&C Centre), now the Imperial Hotel. Visit the Monument for War Heroes built to commemorate the Vietnamese who died during the Vietnam War but also overlooks the site of the 1st Australian Logistics Support Group.

    Return to Ho Chi Minh City and your hotel. Your evening is free. 

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

    Hotel: Aristo Hotel (3 Star) (or similar); Alagon D’Antique Hotel (4 Star) (or similar)

    Day 4: Sunday, 26th April 2026 (Depart Ho Chi Minh City):

    Your day is free as you wish until your driver arrives to take you to the airport in time for your outbound flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

    Meals: Breakfast

  • • Airport transfers

    • Hotel pick-ups/drop-offs for tours

    • Hotel (3 Nights) accommodation

    • Meals as indicated

    • Experienced, English-speaking guide

    • Comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with driver

    • All touring as per program

    • Entrance fees as per program

  • • All travel to/from Vietnam

    • Passport & Visa expenses

    • Meals and services not mentioned

    • Drinks at the Rooftop Bar at the Rex Hotel

    • Comprehensive travel insurance

    • Personal expenses (e.g. telephone, internet, laundry, drinks, souvenirs etc.)

    • Tips to Guides and Drivers

  • Day 2:

    • Cu Chi Tunnels by speedboat – Moderate-High

    • Half Day City Tour:

    • Independence Palace – Low-Moderate

    • War Remnants Museum - Low-Moderate

    • Evening Street Food Tour – Moderate

    Day 3:

    • Anzac Day Dawn Service – Low

    • Nui Dat (Australian Task Force Site) - Low-Moderate

    • Long Tan Memorial – Low

    • Vung Tau locations - Low

  • If you find that you are unable to join a tour that has been booked, confirmed and paid in part or in full, the paid amount of that tour less any unrecoverable costs, may be converted to a voucher. The value of that voucher may be used towards the same tour with a later departure date or any other HWT tour.

    If a refund is requested, the following cancellation fees may be deducted from the paid amount:

    • Greater than 60 days prior to tour start date - Any unrecoverable costs only

    • 60 days or less but greater than 44 days prior to tour start date – 30% of total tour amount + any unrecoverable costs

    • 44 days or less but greater than 14 days prior to tour start date – 50% of total tour amount + any unrecoverable costs

    • 14 days or less (including 'no show') prior to tour start date - No refund

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Registration with the Australian Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, for the Anzac Day Dawn Service, is required.

  • Due to local sensitivities, an official Anzac Day Commemoration at the Long Tan Memorial, is not permitted by the Vietnamese Government. On Anzac Day, local authorities may be present to control the number of persons visiting the memorial at any one time. However, you will have the opportunity to spend a little time at the memorial. Uniforms, medals and flags cannot be displayed.

  • All customers must have comprehensive travel insurance for the duration of the tour.

  • This tour is conducted in accordance with the Policies, Terms & Conditions of Historic War Tour Pty Ltd available on this website.

Group of people standing by a white cross monument with flowers laid in front, set in a grassy, tree-lined area.
A traditional wooden fishing boat on a river with a cargo barge in the background, surrounded by greenery and power lines.
A small motorboat with a blue canopy is docked on a river, partially surrounded by green aquatic plants. A person is standing inside the boat. The river is calm and bordered by lush green trees.
People in traditional attire working inside a rustic workshop with wooden roof and earthen walls.
Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with a large central fountain and Vietnamese flags.
A spacious conference room with red carpet, ornate sofas, and large chandeliers. At the front, there is a red curtain backdrop with a bust and two flags, one featuring a yellow star and the other a hammer and sickle.
Helicopter on a rooftop helipad surrounded by plants with trees in the background.
Outdoor memorial site with a white cross monument, surrounded by white pillars linked with chains. The area is tiled and bordered by trees and plants.
White memorial cross in a neatly tiled open area with trees and greenery in the background, surrounded by small posts connected with chains. A decorative black pedestal is nearby.
Abandoned stone well with stairs surrounded by overgrown vegetation in a rural area
Entrance gate of an old, weathered building with a worn sign reading 'TRƯỜNG MẪU GIÁO LONG PHƯỚC', surrounded by trees and overgrown foliage.
Small gray monument with flowers and a plaque, surrounded by dry leaves and a forest in the background.
Food stall with packaged snacks, jarred goods, various meats, and vegetables on display.
Street vendor cooking Bánh Tráng Nướng on a grill, with a menu listing various options and prices in Vietnamese, along with condiment bottles on the counter.
A brightly lit Vietnamese street food stall with a variety of grilled skewers and dishes displayed on metal trays, including meats and vegetables. "Nuong Quang Nhi" is displayed on a colorful LED sign above the stall. Two people are present, one behi
Military tank and helicopter on outdoor display
Exhibit showcasing photographers who died in the Indochina War
People visiting an art gallery with photographs and paintings displayed on the walls. The room is well-lit and has groups of people viewing the exhibits.
Outdoor display of military vehicles and artillery in a museum setting, including tanks and a helicopter, with informational plaques. Trees and a building are in the background.
Green military tank and helicopter displayed outdoors in a park setting.